Mateschitz's comments confirmed media reports that a deal had
been reached just before last night's deadline for entries to the
2005 championship. He did not, however, say how much Red Bull had
paid.

Ford has spent about $2.6 million a week keeping the team afloat
since the end of the season last month.

The takeover should secure the future of the 300-strong Milton
Keynes-based team and end talk of other formula one teams having to
run three cars next year to make up the numbers on an otherwise
depleted grid.

Mateschitz said he could not provide job guarantees but added
that he had no plans to change the team's leadership in the short
term, the newspaper said.

Asked whether the team would sign Austrian driver Christian
Klien, who made his F1 debut at Jaguar last season and was
sponsored by Red Bull, Mateschitz said he would be considered.

"Like other drivers, he will come to testing as of late
November," Mateschitz said. "But it is true that a second season
for Christian after his debut would make sense."

Australia's Mark Webber drove for Jaguar this year but has
already signed to move to the Williams team for next season.

The team will use a Cosworth engine this season because there is
too little time to make changes to the car's design, the newspaper
said.

"But I can imagine a change in 2006," Mateschitz added.

Red Bull will end its sponsorship of the Swiss-based Sauber
team, the newspaper reported.

Red Bull was involved with the now-defunct Arrows team and has
been involved in formula one and motor racing for some years as
well as in a range of action sports.